Welcome to this special episode of #CreditChatLive, where we explore the transformative power of 401Ks in building long-term financial security. Hosted by Christina Roman, Senior Manager of Consumer Education and Advocacy at Experian, and co-hosted by Jennifer White, this episode features Julie Jason, a renowned expert in investment and financial literacy.

The conversation highlights the 401(k) Champion® Award, a national essay competition that encourages participants to share their experiences with workplace retirement plans. Julie explains how this initiative fosters peer-to-peer mentoring and inspires individuals to explore their 401K options. The application period is open until August 28, 2026, with winners announced on National 401(k) Day, September 11, 2026. Three winners will be recognized as 401(k) Champions®, each receiving a cash award of $1,000.

Julie shares her journey from Wall Street to becoming a champion of financial literacy, emphasizing the importance of 401Ks as a unique investment alternative. She discusses the significance of employer matching, mentorship, and the role of financial education in empowering individuals to take control of their retirement planning.

Whether you're just starting your career or have been saving for years, this episode offers crucial insights into maximizing your 401K benefits and forming habits that lead to retirement security. Join us as we delve into the nuances of 401K plans and learn how to make informed decisions for your financial future.

#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!

Welcome to #CreditChat Live From Boston, a special limited series within the #CreditChat Live podcast featuring conversations with educators and advocates from the Jump$tart National Educator Conference — dedicated to exploring the future of financial literacy in America's classrooms.

This episode features Susan Comparato, a financial literacy educator with Swampscott Public Schools in Swampscott, Massachusetts, recorded live in Boston, Massachusetts at the 16th annual National Educator Conference (NEC). A 30-year teaching veteran and Jump$tart ambassador, Susan has spent nearly a decade championing personal finance education in her school — and is now fighting to make it a statewide requirement in Massachusetts.

Christina and Rod sit down with Susan to hear how she secured a financial literacy requirement at her school back in 2017, long before it was a statewide conversation. She opens up about the power of sharing personal financial mistakes in the classroom, the importance of community among financial educators, and the work she and fellow teacher Jackie Collins are doing to revive the Massachusetts Jump$tart Coalition — just in time for the conference to come home.

Susan closes with the one lesson she hopes every student carries with them long after they leave her classroom: pay yourself first.

#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X, @Experian.us on Instagram, and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!

Welcome to #CreditChat Live From Boston, a special limited series within the #CreditChat Live podcast featuring conversations with educators and advocates from the Jump$tart National Educator Conference — dedicated to exploring the future of financial literacy in America's classrooms.

This episode features LaKeisha Ivy, a school counselor at the Oklahoma School District in Oklahoma, Mississippi, recorded live in Boston, Massachusetts at the 16th annual National Educator Conference (NEC). A five-year Jump$tart attendee and newly selected ambassador, LaKeisha transitioned from high school counselor to elementary school advocate two years ago — bringing her passion for financial education to some of her youngest and most impressionable students yet.

Christina and Rod sit down with LaKeisha to learn how she makes financial literacy tangible for elementary schoolers through her school's Chieftain Bucks PBIS system, where students earn currency through positive behavior and spend it at a real in-school store. She also opens up about growing up in a financially underserved community herself and why that experience fuels her mission to make sure her students are better equipped as adults.

LaKeisha closes with a powerful reminder: exposing children to financial education early can break generational cycles of poverty and give students the confidence to build a stronger future — and for her, that makes every day worth showing up.

#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X, @Experian.us on Instagram, and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!

Welcome to #CreditChat Live From Boston, a special limited series within the #CreditChat Live podcast featuring conversations with educators and advocates from the Jump$tart National Educator Conference — dedicated to exploring the future of financial literacy in America's classrooms.

This episode features Scott Milner, a mathematics and personal finance teacher at Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, recorded live in Boston, Massachusetts at the 16th annual National Educator Conference (NEC). A Jump$tart ambassador and self-described math nerd turned finance advocate, Scott discovered his passion for financial education almost by accident — and hasn't looked back since.

Christina and Rod sit down with Scott to hear how a single student's comment in his very first year of teaching changed the trajectory of his career. He opens up about the realities of Oklahoma's financial literacy graduation requirement — and why meeting it on paper doesn't always mean students are actually learning. He also shares what real financial literacy looks like in his classroom, from students opening their first banking accounts to starting brokerage accounts at 18, and makes a compelling case for why confidence is the true measure of a financial education that works.

Scott closes with a message that every student — and every teacher — needs to hear: the habits you build today will define your financial future. And for Scott, helping students understand that is what makes showing up to school every single day worth it.

#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X, @Experian.us on Instagram, and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!

Welcome to #CreditChat Live From Boston, a special limited series within the #CreditChat Live podcast featuring conversations with educators and advocates from the Jump$tart National Educator Conference — dedicated to exploring the future of financial literacy in America's classrooms.

This episode features Sahvanna Mease, a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Calhoun High School in Calhoun, Colorado, recorded live in Boston, Massachusetts at the 16th annual National Educator Conference (NEC). An 11-year classroom veteran and Jump$tart ambassador, Sahvanna has dedicated her career to bringing life skills and personal finance education to a small rural community — and making it stick.

Christina and Rod sit down with Sahvanna to hear how she fought to bring Family and Consumer Sciences to a district that didn't have it, how she teaches credit and financial decision-making through the lens of small-town agriculture, and why applied, hands-on learning is the only way to prepare students for real financial life. She shares the story of a student who hit her savings goal in a single month — and then raised the bar for herself.

Sahvanna closes with a powerful reminder that a healthy relationship with money isn't just about budgeting — it's about breaking cycles, protecting your future relationships, and refusing to let finances become a dark cloud over your life.

#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X, @Experian.us on Instagram, and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!

Welcome to #CreditChat Live From Boston, a special limited series within the #CreditChat Live podcast featuring conversations with educators and advocates from the Jump$tart National Educator Conference — dedicated to exploring the future of financial literacy in America's classrooms.

This episode features Kerri Herrild, a personal finance teacher at De Pere High School in De Pere, Wisconsin, recorded live in Boston, Massachusetts at the 16th annual National Educator Conference (NEC). A 20-year classroom veteran and Jump$tart ambassador, Kerri has dedicated her career to making personal finance education accessible, relatable, and real for every student who walks through her door.

Christina and Rod sit down with Kerri to hear how she went from being the only personal finance teacher in her district to helping pass Wisconsin's statewide financial literacy mandate in 2023. She shares her signature classroom strategies — from showing students her own pay stub to sending home co-created newsletters that bring money conversations into the home — and makes the case for why teacher professional development is the missing piece in America's growing financial literacy movement.

Kerri closes with an honest and inspiring message for every educator who wonders whether their daily work truly matters. Spoiler: it does.

#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X, @Experian.us on Instagram, and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!

Welcome to #CreditChat Live From Boston, a special limited series within the #CreditChat Live podcast featuring conversations with educators and advocates from the Jump$tart National Educator Conference — dedicated to exploring the future of financial literacy in America's classrooms.

This episode features Laura Levine, President & CEO of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, recorded live in Boston, Massachusetts at the 16th annual National Educator Conference (NEC) — an all-scholarship event bringing together PreK–12 educators committed to teaching personal finance.

Christina and Rod sit down with Laura to explore what makes the NEC such a milestone event for financial educators across the country. Laura unpacks the meaning behind this year's conference theme, "Together We Shine," and how that spirit of collaboration shaped the experience for attendees. She shares what she hopes teachers walk away with — both in terms of practical classroom tools and personal inspiration — and discusses Jump$tart's commitment to ensuring financial education reaches every student, including those who may not receive that guidance at home.

Laura also speaks to the vital role that partnerships with sponsors, nonprofits, and corporate supporters like Experian play in bringing financial literacy to life in classrooms nationwide. Looking ahead, she shares her vision for the future of financial education in America's schools and closes with a powerful message for every teacher, policymaker, and parent about why financial education isn't optional — it's essential.

#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X, @Experian.us on Instagram, and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!

In this episode of #CreditChatLive, we welcome Patrina Dixon, CFEI®️, RFC®️, a certified financial education instructor, registered financial consultant, and founder and CEO of It'$ My Money. Patrina shares her inspiring journey from a successful corporate career to dedicating her life to financial education, emphasizing the importance of making intentional financial decisions and creating a supportive home environment.

Patrina discusses her advocacy for financial literacy in schools, highlighting the transformative impact education can have on families and communities. She offers practical advice on setting achievable financial goals, automating savings, and shifting mindsets to embrace healthier financial habits. Her insights provide a roadmap for anyone looking to take control of their financial future and live their best financial life.

Join us as Patrina Dixon provides actionable steps and expert guidance to empower your financial journey. Whether you're just starting out or seeking to enhance your financial well-being, this episode will inspire you to make informed and empowered financial decisions. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in financial education.

#CreditChatLive is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!

In this episode of #CreditChatLive, we are thrilled to welcome Nia Adams, MBA (Finance), AFC®, CFEI, executive director and founder of Perspectives. Nia is a financial wellness consultant, speaker, and thought leader whose work sits at the powerful intersection of confidence and financial success. She joins us to discuss overcoming money mistakes and creating a non-judgmental environment for your finances. Nia shares her personal journey from navigating debt, financial missteps, and eviction to building a nationally recognized human-centered approach to financial wellness. Her insights emphasize the importance of mindset over mere financial literacy, advocating for a holistic view of money management. Nia's unique approach, the Power Framework, encourages individuals to own their money story, embrace confident action, and reinforce new habits to achieve financial empowerment.

Join us as Nia Adams offers practical advice on how to build financial confidence, manage credit effectively, and prepare for homeownership. Whether you're a high earner or just starting your financial journey, Nia's insights will inspire you to take actionable steps towards a healthier financial future.

#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!

In this episode of #CreditChat Live, we dive into the emotional and psychological aspects of money with Jake Northrup, CFP®, CFA, CSLP®, Founder & Lead Financial Planner at Experience Your Wealth®, LLC, and Ashley Quamme, LMFT, FBS®, CFT™, Financial Behavior Specialist & Founder at Beyond the Plan®. They explore how money is intertwined with emotions, self-worth, and personal identity, and how financial stress can impact mental health. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-compassion in financial decision-making, the accessibility of financial planning, and the need for awareness in managing finances. Our guests share insights on defining 'enough' in financial terms, aligning financial goals within relationships, and setting realistic habits for a healthier relationship with money.

#CreditChat Live is a podcast series hosted by Experian, featuring expert insights on a variety of financial topics, from credit scores to debt management. Join co-hosts Rod Griffin and Christina Roman for enlightening discussions aimed at empowering you to achieve financial success. Join us in our evolution from the decade-long #CreditChat on X, hosted every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Follow @Experian on X and @ExperianNews on Facebook & TikTok for updates!